Athlete's foot
"Athlete's foot" is the common term for a fungal infection called tinea
pedis. The fungi that cause it are tiny, plantlike cells found on the skin of
all humans. They can multiply out of control under certain conditions. The fungi
thrive in cramped, damp places, such as inside shoes and socks. In some people,
athlete's foot occurs entirely between the toes, where the skin cracks, peels,
and becomes scaly. In others, the infection appears on the soles and sides of
the feet or affects the toenails.
The most common fungi causing athlete's foot are called Trichophytons.
Though poorly ventilated shoes and sweaty socks provide an excellent
breeding ground for the fungi, athlete's foot is not highly contagious, so
walking barefoot in a locker room does not increase your risk.
Supplements and herbs
Many doctors prescribe conventional antifungal medications for
persistent cases of athlete's foot. These drugs can be very effective-and very
costly. For milder cases, supplements can be an inexpensive way to
combat this infection; symptoms should begin to clear up within a week.
Vitamin C, an antioxidant,
promotes immune function and aids the body in fighting fungal infections. It can
be taken while using any of the topical supplements listed below.
Tea tree oil, a powerful natural antifungal agent, alters the chemical
environment of the skin, making it inhospitable to fungal growth.
Effective topical preparations include creams or lotions containing
tea tree
oil; look for products that contain tea tree oil as one of the top
ingredients, or make your own by adding two parts tea tree oil to three parts
of a neutral oil, such as almond oil. For an antifungal foot bath, add
20 drops of tea tree oil to a small tub of warm water; soak your feet for
15 minutes two or three times a day. Dry the feet well and dab a few
drops of undiluted tea tree oil on the affected areas. If pure tea tree oil
irritates your skin, use one of the topical preparations described below.
Rub garlic oil directly onto the affected areas.
Garlic contains a natural fungus-fighting substance called allicin that can help to clear up
athlete's foot. You can also try dusting your feet with garlic powder.
Derived from a golden daisy like flower, calendula is another useful
option. Widely available in health-food stores, this herb relieves
inflammation and soothes the skin, which promotes healing.
What else you can do
- Keep your feet clean and dry. With a hair dryer set on low, dry your
feet. If you prefer to use a towel, launder it after each use.
- Wear clean, dry socks. Air your shoes after each use, and don't wear
the same pair every day.
- Go barefoot when you can, or opt for sandals or other well-ventilated
shoes that allow your feet to breathe.
- Try over-the-counter antifungal lotions and powders; but avoid those
that contain cornstarch, which can encourage fungal growth.
- Cut your toenails straight across to help prevent fungal infection.
How much to take
-
- Vitamin C
- 1,000 mg twice a day.
Long-term use may prevent recurrences; reduce dose if
diarrhea develops.
- Tea tree oil
- Apply to affected areas of skin twice a day.
Never ingest tea tree oil.
- Garlic oil
- Apply oil to affected areas of skin twice a day.
Can be used in place of tea tree oil.
- Calendula
- Apply cream or lotion to affected areas twice a day.
Standardized to contain at least 2% calendula. Use
with caution if you're allergic to daisy like flowers.
For kids
- Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) is the most effective herbal treatment for
athlete's foot. It speeds healing and quickly relieves the intolerable
itching. Tea
tree oil is considered one of the most powerful botanical antifungal remedies.
Twice a day, add 10 drops of tea tree oil to 1 quart of warm water and have your
child soak his feet in the treated water for ten minutes. After each soak, dry your child's feet thoroughly,
especially between the toes. After drying, use a cotton swab to paint the affected
area with undiluted tea tree oil. Continue these soaks for ten days. You should
notice considerable improvement, marked by decreased tenderness, scaling, and blistering. Continue applying undiluted tea tree oil to the affected area for another
ninety days. Although most children's athlete's foot will improve in three weeks,
some cases of fungal infection are more stubborn. If your child won't sit and soak,
applying the undiluted oil twice daily can be effective.
- Let your child rub a washcloth dipped in apple cider vinegar briskly between
his toes to remove the soggy skin and scales. It feels like scratching and relieves
the itch. Children usually enjoy this simple treatment. A soak in warm water with
a liberal amount of apple cider vinegar added also helps.
- If your child's feet are itchy and red, try using alternate applications of
aloe vera gel and calendula
(in ointment form if the athlete's foot is dry, in lotion form
if the skin is damp). Both of these herbs are very soothing and healing for the skin.
- For children who are prone to infection or who protest the strong smell of tea
tree oil, make a blend of equal parts of aloe vera liquid and calendula,
Echinacea,
and goldenseal extracts. Rub the mixture well into the affected area. This liquid
mixture is a good antifungal, relieves itching, and is very soothing.
- Garlic is a powerful fungicide. Cut a few slivers of raw garlic and put them in
your child's socks, or dust his shoes with garlic-based foot powder. The medicinal
properties are absorbed through the skin.
- Dust between your child's toes with an absorbent powder, such as green clay,
to help keep these problem areas dry.
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